Thursday, April 28, 2011

El Reno Fried Onion Burger Festival

The 150 pounds of onions are peeled, the Big Burger � 850 pounds and 8.5 ft. in diameter � is almost ready to be cooked and the preparations downtown are in full swing for the Fried Onion Burger Day Festival El Reno, Oklahoma, on Saturday May 7 from 10am to 6pm.

Fun events include the Burger Eating Contest (one 10-and-under and one adult contest) from 10am to noon at the Big Burger Arena and the crowning of the �King of the Big Burger�.

The Oklahoma Commemorative Wing Air Force will be making flyovers in World War II vintage aircraft. Check out some 200 classic cars and 100 cycles at Cycle World. Nearly 30 craft booths are expected this year, offering a variety of handmade crafts and various items.

There will be headliner bands on the Main Stage - the EHS Jazz Band, The Wurlybirds, Truck, Blues Tiger, Greater Than Zero, One Armed Bandit and 4-1-1. There is plenty of entertainment for the children � choirs and dance groups on the Kid Stage, clowns, hula hoop contests and much else.

And of course there are enough Burgers (and other food) for at least 30,000 people.

The El Reno Main Street Program, host and organizer of the festival, is among only 50 communities nationwide to be honored with the Great American Main Street Award. Downtown El Reno plays host to an average of 30,000 people annually when the Main Street Program stages its volunteer-run Fried Onion Burger Day Festival, which has occurred on the first Saturday in May for the past 22 years.